Insights

After nine months without a move, the Fed is set to cut interest rates. In the latest Take 5, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, break down the latest CPI data, tariff-driven inflation, rising unemployment claims, and what Fed policy …

I create financial plans. I love plans and planning. In fact, I’m pretty passionate about it. The plan is important. But let’s get real. It’s just a guess at how to get from your current reality to where you want to go at some point in the future. It’s a quick snapsh …

This month marks the last in our financial planning series. If you’d like me to write about any specific topic in upcoming months, email us. We’ll put your idea in the hopper. January’s and February’s posts focused on the what of financial planning. March’s post focused on the why of …

Welcome to the 3rd post in our financial planning series. This one is all about goal setting with the promised Rocky Balboa metaphor.

Have you given much thought to your strategy for Social Security benefits? It’s good to have a plan in place to help you make the most of this program. But you may have questions.

Just because we express a desire to do something, doesn’t mean we’ll do it. Insurance is a great example of this. A recent study on life insurance statistics showed that 42% of Americans report feeling that they need more life insurance coverage.* At the same time, the percentage of familie …

Did you know you can utilize a health savings account (HSA) to invest for your future? HSAs have many tax benefits, including tad-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth. But is one right for you? This worksheet will help you determine if you qualify, as well as identify common mis …

As a small business owner, you may be so immersed in the day-to-day functions of your business that you haven’t yet put much thought into the day you leave it behind. In fact, for many business owners, the thought of bringing their time to a close can be daunting. Yet planning for your depa …

Owning a business can be like parenting. You’ve likely experienced many sleepless nights and spent a countless amount of energy on your “baby.” Like parenting, being a business owner can be an enriching journey and make life worth the trip.

Financial planning for a small business gets more complicated every day. Business owners must navigate tax efficiency (and life under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), retirement preparations for yourself and your employees, and succession planning. Get your financial plan in place today and …

Choosing the right Medicare plan is one of the most important decisions seniors face. It’s also one of the most difficult. The healthcare system isn’t user-friendly to begin with. Stack all the Medicare options on top of that, and you’ve got yourself a challenge.   That’s why it’s a good id …

Have you thought about how much your healthcare will cost in retirement? Many people underestimate what they’ll need, and that can be an unwelcome reality check once you’re in retirement. According to recent findings, a 65-year-old individual retiring in 2025 will most likely spend an avera …

 Chances are we’ve all felt a bit like Rachel on the hit show “Friends” when she looked at her first paycheck in bewilderment and said, “Who’s FICA? And why’s he taking all my money?”   

If you’re looking for a way to give back long-term without hurting your current financial security, a charitable remainder trust (CRT) may provide a win-win opportunity. CRTs let you support your favorite cause while also creating a stream of income for yourself or your loved ones. When you …

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Manager and Senior Wealth Planner Giving something you own to someone else. It’s a simple, human act – one that seems like it shouldn’t take too much planning to do it correctly. But when does gifting become a tax issue? What do you need to consider about gifti …

Have you thought about your legacy? We highly recommend that you appoint a trusted family member or friend as your power of attorney (POA), giving them the ability to help with your financial or health needs, should an unfortunate event occur in your life.

No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.

COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.

By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …

After nine months without a move, the Fed is set to cut interest rates. In the latest Take 5, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, break down the latest CPI data, tariff-driven inflation, rising unemployment claims, and what Fed policy …

The bull market rages on, as the S&P 500 moved to another new high last week, the first in the month of September and 21st overall on the year.

In the latest Take 5, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, dig into why gold has been shining so brightly over the past three years and what that means for investors. From inflation protection to central bank buying, and the surprising …